Thorsten Fink found some choice words for his players on Tuesday in the hope of shaking them up. On the same day he made Rafael van der Vaart his new captain.

The spectators and media at Tuesday's training session (09.04.13) had to wait for 40 minutes before the team and coaching staff appeared for training on the pitch alongside the Imtech Arena. The reason for the delay was that the players had warmed up inside the stadium and that Fink had read the riot act to the players, apparently in a loud manner. After disappointing recent performances Fink told the players exactly where they stand and what is expected of them.

"There is too much being leaked to the outside for my taste. There are no more excuses. Everyone must look at himself to find out where he can dramatically improve", explained the coach. One of Finks first decisions was to make Rafael van der Vaart his captain for the remaining six games of the current season. Fink: "I simply think that he is better suited to the role at the moment." The Rothosen boss revealed that the decision was made after discussions with sport boss Frank Arnesen.

"Want to see who will eat grass for the club"

Rafael van der Vaart: New skipper.

Fink also will be looking very carefully at exactly which players he can count on after this summer. He explained: "I am demanding that the players show me who is prepared to eat grass for the club. Who gives his all for the club's environment and the hard working staff here. Those players will still be here this summer, the others can look for new clubs." It is also planned to give young players a chance in the first team squad and to hand them more responsibility: "I have observed the situation for long enough and know that if certain things don't change right now we will not move forward." On the next game in Mainz Fink told us: "We travel there to get a good result."